Hello from London, where this weekend Bloomberg took over Hampton Court Palace for a one-of-a-kind celebration with employees and their families.

Against the backdrop of Tudor halls and royal gardens, colleagues connected over music, art, photography, and lawn games — while our philanthropic partners, the Science Museum and Sadler’s Wells, brought the day to life with interactive activities and live performances.

The roots of these events date back to the early days of the company, when Mike hosted regular summer picnics for employees and their families as a way for the team to get to know each other outside of the office. 

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Among other news from across the pond, the UK is in the midst of its annual party conferences, with the Labour Party meeting in Liverpool this week. These gatherings are key moments for parties to set their political agendas, rally supporters, and outline priorities.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour leaders are expected to focus on Britain’s global ambitions, economic resilience, and diplomatic strategy, while other parties, including the Conservatives and Reform UK, are promoting their own policy visions ahead of upcoming elections.

The UK continues to lag behind the US in per capita GDP and living standards. As reported by The Times of London, slow productivity growth—exacerbated by Brexit—has held Britain back, while the US economy has surged ahead. Policymakers are focusing on technology investment, partnerships, and reforms to close the gap, and there are signs of resilience, with the UK projected to be the second-fastest growing G7 economy in 2025.

Global Conservation

The High Seas Treaty Just Passed. Now It's Full Steam Ahead (Newsweek Opinion - Patti Harris)
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In a landmark moment for ocean conservation, 73 countries—including the entire European Union—have ratified the High Seas Treaty after two decades of negotiations, writes Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO Patti Harris. 

For the first time, international waters, long considered a lawless Wild West beyond national control, will be subject to shared governance and environmental protections.
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Ratification is only the beginning, Patti writes. The real challenge lies ahead: designating protected areas and ensuring they’re enforced. Now is the time for world leaders to turn this momentum into action and safeguard the planet’s largest, richest, and most vulnerable ecosystem.

Read Patti's full op-ed here. 

Weekend of Gun Violence in America

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At Least 4 Dead, 8 Wounded in Shooting at Michigan Church (Bloomberg)

An ex-Marine smashed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in Michigan, opened fire and set the building ablaze during a crowded Sunday service and then was fatally shot by police. At least four people were killed and eight wounded, and authorities were searching the building ruins for more victims.

The attack occurred at around 10:25 a.m. while hundreds of people were in the building in Grand Blanc Township, outside Flint.

Authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of the neighboring small town of Burton. The FBI is leading the investigation and considered it an “act of targeted violence."

Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 through June 2008, working as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2007 through March 2008 and had the rank of sergeant.

In North Carolina: Shooting That Killed 3 at Riverside Bar Was ‘Targeted,’ Police Say (New York Times)

A gunman opened fire at the American Fish Company bar in Southport, N.C., Saturday night, killing three and wounding at least five before fleeing by boat.

Police arrested 40-year-old Nigel Edge, a local combat veteran, who now faces multiple murder and attempted murder charges.

Authorities called the shooting “highly premeditated” but have not released the victims’ names or identified a motive.

In response to recent shootings, Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun violence prevention group founded by Mike Bloomberg, said, “When guns are everywhere and in everyone’s hands, no one is safe. We shouldn’t have to live like this. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, the latest affected by our country’s gun violence crisis.”

Latest in NYC Mayors Race

Shakeup: Mayor Adams Exits Race, Warns Against Vote for ‘Chaos’ (Bloomberg)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams ended his reelection bid, citing fundraising challenges and constant media scrutiny, clearing the way for Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

Reports suggest Adams may have entertained a job offer from the Trump administration in exchange for stepping aside, highlighting the unusual political maneuvering behind his exit.

Analysis: What the Mayor Got Away With Has Already Changed America (New York Times Opinion)

Eric Adams has not been convicted of any crime. He has said that he “never violated [his] role as the mayor” and that his only mistake was placing his trust in people who disappointed him. But it’s hard to deny that Adams’ tenure has become an object lesson in how corruption left unchecked can build on itself.
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The implications extend far beyond the five boroughs of New York City. They ripple through law enforcement offices and legislatures and courthouses across the nation, all the way up to the highest office in the land.

Even if Adams broke no laws, he has been the flywheel for a corrupt machine.

What I'm Reading

US-Israel: Netanyahu to Meet Trump as US Intensifies Gaza Ceasefire Push (Bloomberg)

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet with President Trump at the White House as the US advances a nearly finalized plan to end the war in Gaza, which reportedly involves disarming Hamas, returning hostages, and establishing a transitional administration.

The meeting comes amid intensifying Israeli military operations in Gaza, severe humanitarian conditions, and international pressure to find a diplomatic resolution.

Ukraine Latest: Heavy Russian Airstrikes on Kyiv Kill at Least Four People (Bloomberg)

Kyiv was hit overnight Saturday by a massive Russian drone and missile attack, including 593 drones and 50 missiles such as Kinzhal ballistic missiles, causing major damage to infrastructure and killing at least four people, including a 12-year-old girl.

The strikes, which also hit other regions across Ukraine, came shortly after President Zelenskiy announced the arrival of a US-made Patriot air defense system from Israel.

Ukrainian and international officials stressed the urgent need for stronger air defenses, while Poland scrambled fighter jets as a precaution, though its airspace was not violated.

Hope for Europe: Moldova's Pro-EU Party Set to Win Outright Majority in Election (Bloomberg)

US Defense Orders: Mysterious Meeting with Generals Will Focus on Grooming and Warrior Ethos (Politico)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of generals to Virginia this week to discuss grooming, standards, and his “warrior ethos” vision of a more aggressive military — an unusual move that has sparked confusion among military leaders.

Nearly all generals and admirals, including those from global commands, are required to attend the Quantico meeting, where President Trump is expected to deliver an address.

Hegseth will stress conduct and expectations, warning that everyone must “row in the same direction” or face career consequences.

Escalation: Trump Says He is Authorizing Military to Use 'Full Force' in Portland (Politico)

President Trump is directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send US troops to Portland, he said Saturday on Truth Social, making the extraordinary pronouncement that he is greenlighting the use of “Full Force, if necessary” in an American city.

Now, Oregon and its largest city, Portland, have filed suit in federal court to block the deployment, alleging that the administration’s “provocative and arbitrary actions threaten to undermine public safety by inciting a public outcry.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said in a statement that her office had been provided no information on "any military mission" and "there is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm. I ask Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day."

Funding Standoff: Trump to Meet Top Democrats With Both Sides Dug In on Shutdown (Bloomberg)

Today at 3 PM ET, President Trump will meet with the top four congressional leaders to discuss a short-term spending bill, a day before federal funding is set to expire if the two parties can’t reach an agreement.

Democrats insist the bill include extensions of health-care subsidies and restore budget cuts, while Republicans want those issues negotiated afterward, requiring bipartisan support in the Senate to pass.

New Conspiracy of the Day: FBI ‘Undercover’ Agents in Jan. 6, Trump Claims (Politico Playbook)

President Trump posted on Truth Social alleging, without any factual basis, that the FBI “secretly placed … 274 FBI Agents into the Crowd just prior to, and during” the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, during which they were “probably acting as Agitators and Insurrectionists.”

He aimed his ire at Christopher Wray, accusing the then-FBI director of “LYING” and likening him to James Comey.

Extremism Surge: Left-Wing Terrorism Hits 30-Year High (Axios AM)

Left-wing violence has killed 13 people over the past decade — far fewer than the 112 deaths from right-wing attacks and 82 from jihadists.

But at least five left-wing plots or attacks have already been recorded this year, compared to just one right-wing attack — the shooting of two Minnesota Democrats and their spouses.

Daniel Byman, a Georgetown professor who's the lead author of the CSIS study, told Axios in a phone interview that many "extremists on the far right ... are more comfortable with the Trump policies, and that may be ... why we've seen a reduction in violence."

Byman warned against the data being used "as an excuse for a crackdown on legitimate organizations."

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Daily Read Podcast: On the go? Listen to today’s AI-powered podcast companion to this newsletter — streaming now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

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The AI Race: Apple Builds a ChatGPT-Like App to Help Test the Revamped Siri (Bloomberg)

Apple has developed an internal ChatGPT-like iPhone app, code-named Veritas, to test and refine features for a long-delayed overhaul of Siri, including searching personal data and performing in-app actions.

The revamped Siri, slated for release as early as March, is a key part of Apple’s push to compete in AI and regain ground against rivals like Google and Samsung, with broader plans extending to AI-powered smart home devices and web search.

Golf Champion of the Weekend: Europe Retains Ryder Cup, Reasserts Dominance Over US (Bloomberg)

Team Europe retained the Ryder Cup with a 15-13 victory over the US. Despite a fierce American comeback in the singles matches, Europe’s consistency and strong performances on hostile US soil secured their 11th win in the last 15 contests.

UK Reservation Recs: Here Are the 16 New London Restaurants to Book for Autumn (Bloomberg)

London’s prime restaurant-opening season is in full swing, with a wave of new spots like Carbone, Lagana, Nela, Luso, Kudo, and Alta already open, while high-profile names including Masa Takayama, Clare Smyth, Gordon Ramsay, and Matt Abé are set to debut new ventures in the coming months.

The season showcases a strong Italian resurgence, alongside global flavors from Greek to Caribbean, and a mix of splashy fine dining and elevated casual pubs, signaling reinvention in the city’s dining scene.
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Best of Late Night

More on President Trump’s escalator malfunction incident at the UN General Assembly in New York:

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“They act like they dropped him into shark-infested waters. It was an escalator. You know what another word for frozen escalator is? Stairs.”
– Jimmy Kimmel

“I’m starting to get confused. Is he the strongest, healthiest, most physically powerful man-beast ever elected president or a brittle-boned grandma with osteoporosis? Which is it?”
– Jimmy Kimmel

“That sudden stop was a close call, especially for the first lady, ’cause he almost touched her. Yeah. Yeah, they should slide in some sort of shield like those pieces of paper they put between slices of cheese.”
– Stephen Colbert

And from The Daily Show: Jordan Klepper takes on Trump’s latest pettiness—from framing Biden’s signature in the Presidential Walk of Fame to accusing James Comey of crimes—and Troy Iwata breaks down Lindsey Halligan’s “Legally Blonde”–style US Attorney appointment. Click the photo below to watch.
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